Mrs. Sheridan’s 8th Grade English

J.L. Simpson Middle School2015-2016

Background information• This is my 5th year teaching 8th grade English at J.L. Simpson Middle

School and I am proud to be part of this learning community.

• I live in Leesburg with my husband, three children (all of whom attended Simpson Middle School), and two Labs.

• I graduated from Boston College, Suffolk University School of Law, and Shenandoah University

• I am an AVID-certified teacher, the Simpson Literacy Coach, a member of LCPS Middle School Book Club, and part of the Loudoun Creates team

• This is my twenty-eighth year teaching, and my second year here at J.L. Simpson Middle School. In Frederick County, VA, I taught at the elementary level, English at the middle school level, and I was the Reading Specialist. It has been a pleasure to join the learning community here at Simpson.

• I live in Winchester with my husband, two children (both of whom are in college), Smokey, and MooMoo.

• I graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in education K-8 and special education, and earned a Masters in Reading at Shippensburg University.

Background information

Reading For Pleasure

• I read A LOT of books!

• Reading has been a passion for years and I make an effort to read Young Adult literature on a regular basis.

• It is important to me that I can converse with each of my students about the books they are reading.

• My reading goal for them is that all students find a style of books that keeps their attention causing them to lose themselves within the pages of the story.

Writing, writing, and more writing…

• The ability to communicate effectively is an essential life skill. • The students in this class will be writing every single day. • There will be wide variety of writing assignments.• Students will learn how to organize their thoughts using a

variety of prewriting strategies.• My writing goal is that all students develop confidence and

clarity in their writing abilities so that writing is no longer a source of stress or anxiety.

Reading and Writing Workshops• Notice and Note Reading

• Close Reading

• Marking the Text

• Genius Hour

• One to the World Information about OTTW

• Loudoun CreatesInformation about the Loudoun Creates intiative

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION:• I will update my Web Page on a regular basis until Phoenix is available Mrs. Sheridan's Simpson Web Page

• Once we have all adjusted to using the Phoenix gradebook, I will include all of the information relating to handouts and assignment due dates on the Phoenix website

• Phoenix will continue to use three important symbols:• T = assignment was turned in on time, but it has not yet been graded

• Z = student did not turn in the assignment on the due date and will receive a zero until it is turned in for grading.

• X = student is completely excused from this assignment and it will not impact his or her grade in any way